Since ancient times, artists have been fascinated and inspired by the stories and adventures of Odysseus. The tales of Homer, who compiled them in rhyme, tell of his odyssey. His horror stories of man-eating giants, accounts of enchanting women and singing sirens have inspired people to create stories, images and music for almost 3,000 years. Songs, cantatas, entire operas and symphonies have been composed about the Cyclopes, sorceresses and sirens.

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Even the musical city of Naples, the centre of bel canto, is said to owe its foundation to a siren and the grave of Parthenope, who washed up dead after jumping into the sea, is said to have been located at the port of Naples. 

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The sirens, who lived on an island, attracted sailors not only with their enchanting voices, but also with their ability to know and reveal everything that happened on earth. But those who followed their enchanting song were lured to their doom. The sorceresses Alcina, Armida and Circe transformed their lovers into animals, leaving them at the mercy of their singing and their charms.

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Who better to embody these magical figures than the spirited Italian singer Francesca Lombardi Mazzulli, who breathes fervour, fire, longing and pining into the mythological figures with her versatile timbre, great dynamism and expressiveness. 

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She skilfully slips into the roles of Parthenope, Armida and other sorceresses. Arias by Parthenope from Antonio Vivaldi’s opera Rosmira fedele and Leonardo Vinci’s opera of the same name will be performed, as will arias by Armida from Handel’s opera Rinaldo and Alcina from the opera of the same name.